IN one of the largest single operations of its kind this year, the Delta State Police Command has arrested 202 suspects during a coordinated raid on identified criminal hideouts in the Asaba metropolis.
The intelligence-led operation, which took place on Saturday, ) July 4, 2026, saw officers swoop on black spots, brothels and suspected illicit drug dens across the state capital.
The raid was personally overseen by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Department of Operations.
According to police sources, the operation was triggered by credible intelligence gathered by the State Intelligence Department (SID), which had been monitoring criminal activity in the area for several weeks.
Of the 202 individuals apprehended, 102 were male and 100 female. They face allegations ranging from operating unlicensed brothels to the possession and sale of prohibited substances.
In addition to the arrests, police impounded five motor vehicles, 10 tricycles and 10 motorcycles for various infractions, including violations of traffic regulations and breaches of the state-imposed restrictions on tricycle operations. The ban on motorcycles in designated areas was also cited as a reason for the seizures.Law Enforcement
Delta State Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to intelligence-driven policing in the wake of the operation.
“Criminal elements will have no space to operate in this state,” CP Oyeniyi declared. “We will continue to sustain enforcement operations against all forms of criminality.”
The Commissioner also appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and to support the police by providing credible and timely information.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, ANIPR, FCIA, FIPMD, confirmed the operation in a statement released on Sunday, July 5, 2026, describing it as part of an ongoing sustained crackdown on criminal activities across the state.
All 202 suspects remain in custody pending further investigation and potential charges.
